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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.27.21
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Jason Mackey
11:35
Hello, everyone. Thanks for stopping by my weekly chat, where I get asked 92 times which free agents the Pirates are targeting. Feel free to ask your questions now. I'll be back at noon to answer them. Thanks so much!
12:02
And away we go ...
12:03
Evan, I'm sorry. I clicked the wrong thing and accidentally deleted your message. Your question was who's out there that the Pirates might target. There are obviously a lot right now. Free agency has been mostly slow. I wrote this a few days ago, and it includes a list of guys: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2021/01/22/Pirates-offseas...
12:05
To sort of sum that up for anyone who doesn't want to click through, I expect them to add at least a starting pitcher and an outfielder. Maybe -- maybe -- a first-base type. I don't necessarily think it will come from that list, though it obviously could. I think what I listed may be more wishful. The Pirates' acquisitions with this stuff can be hard to predict. Saw CBS wrote recently about James Paxton, C.J. Cron and Jonathan Schoop. Like anything, these are purely speculative, the same as my list honestly. We're armchair GM'ing.
BillC
12:05
Any possible names the Pirates would like to add floating around?  I know they won’t be big names but it would be nice to see a presser with someone putting ON a Pirates jersey
Jason Mackey
12:08
Ha. BillC, I admire the passion. But I don't know if anyone they sign is going to require a presser with the jersey charade. Normally that is reserved for much more significant signings. And also, gang, I hate to be dismissive of this question -- who are the Pirates going to target? -- because I know I'm going to get it a bunch. But a couple points: 1. If I ever have that sort of information, I'm not going to hold it until I'm asked in a chat. 2. It's not terribly easy to obtain. Would be if Cherington or the Pirates would tell us, which they understandable won't. So, you're gonna hope to get it from agents or players, saying the Pirates have expressed interest. The field of free agents is large, much larger than the agent queue of a team's beat reporter. Not saying some won't come out because it will, hopefully from here. But it's a tough thing to offer any sort of opinion about that's more than blind speculation.
Mike
12:09
Jason, I can say that I like what BC has been doing with the roster so far.  They are rebuilding the roster, filling up the minor league with some good young players, but I do question now, that there is going to be a lack up leadership among the young pitchers now that JAMO is gone. Do you see them trying to bringing in a veteran, or you think one of the young guns will somehow step up?
Jason Mackey
12:10
Hi Mike. I think you bring up a good point. I actually asked Ben about this Sunday, too. I like Mitch Keller a lot, but I'm not sure he's ready to lead a rotation. I hope I'm wrong. The same for maybe Chad Kuhl or JT Brubaker. The Pirates have some decent pitchers, but yeah, they could use someone with some miles on the tires to help a little. Was asked earlier about possible adds. That's one of the reasons why I would consider seeing what it would cost to add Rick Porcello. Even if the results are ho-hum, the dude knows how to stay healthy, how to be a pro, that sort of thing.
Guest
12:11
Which way do you think the Bucs will go as it relates to adding to the rotation and OF?  Will they go for younger guys like Rodon, Folty as SP's and a Mazara type for the OF versus someone like Samardzija/ Hamilton/Bruce? In short aging veterans looking for a place to play in hopes of turning a good 1st half into a trade to a contender or hoping to find another longer term piece with a younger guy turning it around?
Jason Mackey
12:12
I think they're going to go with the second philosophy -- short-term guys on the cheap they can flip by the deadline. Another thing to think about here: What if -- and this is a big if -- the Pirates don't stink while adding a couple guys of this ilk? Well, OK. Then you trade them at the deadline and make sure you do down the stretch to ensure a decent draft pick. As the Steelers or many other organizations will tell you, you're always going to overpay for things in free agency. The best thing the Pirates can do for future depth is to draft that player or sign him young, then develop them, hence why you've seen what you have. Rare, rare chance they stumble upon a future building block with this market.
PrinceBob
12:13
Is there any word about whether Grapefruit League games will allow spectators yet?
Jason Mackey
12:14
No. I actually asked about that yesterday. Nothing has been decided either way. Shoot, we don't even know if we're going to have spring training on time at this point. Or at least we have not yet been given any sort of firm indication as such. Actually had to cancel our place yesterday because I don't want us stuck with a $2,500 bill for a place we're not using.
PrinceBob
12:14
After reading your piece about Bob Nutting and changing perceptions of the Pirates, it came to me that their payroll is so low now that he could double it and still be among the most frugal teams in baseball. Everyone agrees they'll need to sign a pitcher or two. For $30-$40 million they could get someone well beyond the usual reclamation projects and possibly spare fans a couple years of 90 plus losses while the kids develop. I know this will never happen but if it did perceptions would change a little. No question here, just a comment.
Jason Mackey
12:21
Sorry for the delay folks, just got a call I needed to take ... will be back as soon as possible.
12:30
OK, I'm back ... I understand what you're saying. And I think they will sign a couple respectable veterans. Another thing I'd like to point out about Cherington: If you look back at how he built some of those teams -- would absolute recommend the book "Homegrown" -- Cherington had a decent amount of success on the free-agent market. Remember before the Red Sox won the 2013 World Series, Cherington signed seven guys -- Ross, Gomes, Drew, Napoli, Victorino, Uehara and Dempster -- who wound up playing big roles. Obviously I don't think that's the goal here, but I do expect GMBC do to something that's not dumb.
Danimal
12:30
Are we really to believe that Cherrington wouldn't have taken the job if he weren't "guaranteed" that ownership would open the wallet "when the time comes"? Other teams execs would hold Cherrington accountable for the actions, or rather inactions of the team owner?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I don't know what you do for a living, Danimal, so lemme use my own situation. Say I wanted to leave the Post-Gazette. I feel like I'm developed a pretty good reputation for myself, would you agree? You folks trust me with stuff. I'm not a dope. Would I willingly go somewhere where they wouldn't pay for me to travel? Or maybe didn't give me a phone to call/text people? Or where they would put me on a different beat, where I would have a tough time finding success? Heck no. So why would Ben?
It's the same thing. People who manage professional sports teams are going to go where they can be successful. He had other options. He chose to come here. So either you can think he's stupid and/or gullible, or maybe there's a way for the Pirates to win with Cherington in charge.
Mark M.
12:34
Would the Pirates have any interest in Jake Arrieta? He should not cost a great deal of money and they can offer him a spot in the rotation. If he does well he can be traded at the deadline for prospects.
Jason Mackey
12:34
Perhaps. He would fit the profile of what they're looking for. But I doubt Pittsburgh would be Jake Arrieta's only offer. If I'm him, I'm sure as heck gonna try to find a more competitive situation first, even if I have to sacrifice some money to do it.
Sunner in Orlando
12:35
I really like what the new Big Ben is doing with the Bucs. I would not hesitate to trade Frazier or even Moran or even up and comers like Reynolds or Tucker to get more pieces. As a famous owner once said "I can finish last with you or without you". Full rebuild must happen to change the curse. Agree?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Full rebuild yes. Trading Reynolds? No. He should be part of the rebuild. I'm not sure about Tucker. I think he could be. I like his attitude, I like his defense, I like his versatility. I need to see him hit. But "rebuild" doesn't necessarily mean jettison every major league player. They should keep Hayes, Keller, Reynolds and maybe a few others, in my opinion, and be trying to build this around them. Might toss Cederlind in that category, too.
Danimal
12:36
After trading away the two biggest faces of the franchise, whose jersey are they selling at the team store? I can't imagine too many people willing to shell out $150 for a Jacob Stallings or a Steven Brault jersey. Or, do they still have a bunch of Cutch jerseys and AJ Burnett bat man shirts on the rack?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Haha. You bring up a fine point. But I think you'll see a lot of Ke'Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds in that space. Maybe Mitch Keller or Kevin Newman, if he bounces back. Will that be the same as Bell? Probably not. But the Pirates are also going a different direction, and this is a necessary part of that.
JDub
12:37
Are we settling for volume over elite when it comes to the prospects we received for Musgrove and Taillon? Reminds me too much of Return fit Cole.
Jason Mackey
12:39
I don't think they're "settling" for any one thing. I think they're trying to get as much back as possible. If that comes more in one player, fine. I think they did that with Josh Bell. The Eddy Yean kid is supposed to be really, really good. Then they went the other direction with Musgrove and Taillon. Listen, Baseball America has been around for 40 years because it does a great job tracking and evaluating this stuff. BA says the Pirates did very well in both deals. I've never seen these kids. You've never seen these kids. How is it fair to say they stink or the Pirates didn't get enough back? I don't think we can fairly determine that at this point.
Danimal
12:39
Who will be the obligatory All Star selection based on who is left on this roster?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Ke'Bryan Hayes.
Mark M.
12:40
What is your take on Curt Schilling and his Hall of Fame credentials? If a writer voted for John Smoltz but not Schilling, I'd like to know the rationale. To me, they're the exact same player. Their career numbers are essentially identical and both were dominent in the post season.
Jason Mackey
12:41
I do not yet have a Hall of Fame vote, but I would have absolutely voted for Curt Schilling. I also would have been voting for Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. I don't think sportswriters -- of all people -- should have any license whatsoever to judge morality.
Parker
12:41
Do we have a power hitter in our system? With launch angles, aren’t we at a disadvantage wo a hitter who is good for 30 plus homeruns a year?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Yes, Mason Martin would qualify as such. Currently working on a feature on Canaan Smith, whom the Pirates got via the Taillon trade. Dude also has plenty of power. There's Oneil Cruz, Hudson Head in a couple years ... not as much as they'd like, to be fair, but it's not entirely absent, either.
Danimal
12:43
I find the Hall of Fame voting and voters to be insufferable. Will the sanctimony continue and prevent the Astros players from entering the Hall upon their retirement too? What about current members of the Hall that obviously fall short of the morality clause so often touted by our moral betters in the Baseball Writers Association? Should they be "cancelled" and have their plaques removed in shame?
Jason Mackey
12:45
I gave my thoughts on the situation. To be fair, Hall voters are told to consider morality in voting. I just disagree with that as a directive and think it's incongruent with an establishment that already welcomes Ty Cobb and Pete Rose.
Stengel
12:45
in 2013-15, our strategy was to have great up the middle defense and teach our pitchers to throw low in the zone and induce ground balls. Then we could keep games low scoring and win. What is our our organizational strategy today? Do we have one?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Right now, honestly, it's to get many more good players. The Pirates don't have nearly enough. In that regard, you're comparing apples to oranges. Baseball is also different. It's more about strikeouts, pitching up in the zone and tunneling pitches. The Pirates this year adjusted to that. It's more individualistic. The Pirates have adjusted to that. They need more power, sure, but they also need a crapload of solid pitchers. Answer me this: Do the Blue Jays, Brewers, White Sox or Indians have an organizational strategy? Do the Rays or A's? I don't see why we need to have something neat and tidy here to put in a box. Just my two cents.
Reality
12:48
What do you think expect to be the three biggest changes to come from the next MLB-Player’s Association agreement?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Hmm ... I'm assuming you mean after 2021, right? Would say, one, a universal DH. That's easy. Maybe some of the other current rule changes, adopted for good. My third would be a hail mary -- a salary cap. I do think there's a chance. Not a very good one, mind you. But I'm hoping, praying that MLB can look at other leagues and see that it's possible for everyone to benefit while also adopting a cap.
Danny
12:49
Chances of bringing back Chris Archee
Jason Mackey
12:49
I'd say maybe 25%. They're not great. If he has literally any other offers, I'm sure he takes one of them ahead of the Pirates.
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